Triple Play UK
UK based podcast discussing NFL, NHL & MLB.
Matt & Tom talk about their love of sports and all the hot topics from around the leagues.
Triple Play UK
MLB OPENING DAY SPECIAL
Matt & Tom bring you an MLB opening day special discussing everything Baseball.
Who takes home the World Series in 2025? Will Juan Soto like up to the hype? And the boys round off their top ten left, right and centre fielders.
Welcome to Triple Play uk, the UK's home of the N-F-L-N-H-L and MLB. Welcome to Triple Play uk. I'm your host Matt. Alongside my co-host Tom. As ever, we are breaking down everything opening day in the MLB. Today, Tom and I are sat here recording the pod, watching opening day while the Yankees take on the Brewers. In this episode, we are gonna be talking about where we think everyone is gonna finish across the league. We're talking about Tom's three talking points, the things that he's most looking forward to this season and what he's watching out for. And we're also gonna finish off our top tens with left field, field and center fielders. Tom, how are you Enjoying opening day buddy.
Tom:Mate, it is the best day of the season. It's the, it's the most fun day of the year. Year in the baseball calendar, opening day, like you said, we've both got the Yankees game on in front of us, I think Yanks up two one at the moment over the brewers Austin Wells. By the way, guys became the first capture in BA Major League history to hit a lead off home run to open the season. Anthony Volpes also gone deep for the Yanks in a two one game. And just a quick note as well, guys, like I said, we are following opening day as we record this. Tyler O'Neill has just made it six straight. Opening days. He's hit a three run home run for the Orioles. So that is six straight opening days where he has now hit a home run to, to start the season off, which is pretty incredible. So if you had any money on that, guys, I think you'll be, you were in for you are in for a big win there. But yeah, Matty, like I said, it's, it's the most fun day, the year, it's, it's just great to have baseball pack and all the demons from last year are immediately forgotten about. And we are back, my friend.
Matt:I wouldn't be surprised if there's a few fans with a little bit of money on that. Six straight home runs on opening days are phenomenal feat, mate. There's bound to be somebody out there that's had a bet on that. so we're gonna start with our top tens then mate, and we'll go left field to right field. I'm gonna make a start. Let's see how we compare. So left fielders, I've got number 10, Taylor Ward at nine. I've done Steven Kwa, eight Christian Yelich seven. Tyler O'Neill of the Orioles, Jackson, Cheerio at six. Six. And then number five, I've gone Brandon Nimo. Number four, Riley Green. And then my top three, I've got Ian Hap Jar Duran of the Red Sox, number one and Alvarez
Tom:mate, to be fair, pretty similar. I think we've, I think we've pretty much got the exact same list, just slightly different orders. So 10th, I've got Taylor Ward ninth, I've got Christian Yelich, I've got Ian Hap down in down in eighth seventh. I've got Tyler O'Neill sixth, Brandon Nimo fifth, Steven Kwan fourth. I've got Riley Green. Third, I've got Jackson Cheerio. Second, I got Jaron Duran and yeah, my top two's the same as yours. So first Yoan Alvarez. Probably couldn't be anyone else for that first spot for left field. He's, he's the premier player in the position and I'm looking forward to seeing Jaron Duran. He had a really good year last year, same as Jackson Cheerio as well. So even forward seeing how they kind of get on for this season.
Matt:Nice. Do you wanna take it away with your center fielders then? And then we'll compare after. See how we've done.
Tom:Right. So center field, I've got Louis Robert Jr. In 10th, I've got Pete Crow, Armstrong in ninth. Really like him so, so quick. Excellent fielder as well. Dalton Var Show in eighth, seventh. I've got Brandon Marsh, sixth, Brenton Doyle fifth. I've got Michael Harris ii. Fourth, I've got Byron Buxton third, maybe a little bit of Yankees bias, but at a great spring training. And I do really think he's gonna have a good year for us this year. I've got Cody Bellinger second. I've got Julio Rodriguez. And first I've got Jackson Merrill Of the Padres,
Matt:again, it'll be carried away watching the the
Tom:I know,
Matt:going there, but.
Tom:I know, mate. I know. It is hard. It's hard. It's hard not to mate. Rod's just striking out the side. Well look, we, it is, it's been a good start.
Matt:To be fair buddy. Our lists are very, very similar. I think there's one player missing from my list, and quite a lot of them are in the same, same spots as well. So I've gone for number 10. I've got Louis Robert Jr. Nine O'Neil, Cruz eight, Dalton Vaso seven, Brandon Marsh, six, Brenton Doyle, fifth, Michael Harris ii. Then in fourth. I haven't put my Yankees hat on, I've put Cody Bellinger at four, not third. Byron Buxton is my third. Jackson Merrill is my second, and I've gone Julio Rodriguez for number one.
Tom:We are matching up quite well this week, Matt. We've actually got fairly, fairly similar list and like you said, a lot of them in pretty much the same order as it as your baseball knowledge. It's almost like the season started and
Matt:stuff.
Tom:like your baseball knowledge has kicked into gear. You've, you've started talking a bit of sense mate.
Matt:I've, I've been watching a lot, mate. I've been taking all in. I've been reading a lot. I've been looking at, you know, games from last season, stats. I've been immersing myself, mate.
Tom:I think it was needed after some of the questionable shouts that we've had from you so far. So yeah, I, it couldn't have got much worse, so, yeah. No, right, right. Field. Go on, mate. You lead us off.
Matt:Okay, so I'm gonna shock you and I'm gonna tell you now, Mike Trout does not feature in my list at number 10. Lawrence Butler, number nine, Matt Warner. I. Number eight, Kerry Carpenter. Seven. I've got Corbin Carroll six Seia Suzuki Fernando Tatis Jr. Four. Scar Hernandez number three, and I didn't really want him on my list. Juan Soto. Number two, Kyle Tucker number one, and there can only be one person in this position. It's the Yankees, very own Judge.
Tom:Yeah, mate. Again, another, another solid list. Sorry to to burst your bubble a little bit as well'cause I know that you are on the old one. So a hate watch train. I think a lot of other Yankees fans, he has just picked up his first hit for the Mets in his debut. So. Yeah, Juan Soto doing pretty much what he's expected to do and yeah, get on base, collect base hits. He's gonna drive in a lot of runs and hit home runs for them this year. So yeah, Juan Soto off to a good start. My 10th, so I've got Butler in 10th. I've got Kerry Carpenter at ninth Corbin Carroll at eighth. I got Suzuki at seven. I've got Te Oscar Hernandez at six. Fernando Tati Jr. At fifth. Mike Trout at fourth. I have to have trout in there. I know he was injured a lot last year, but if, if, and I know it is a big if with Mike Trout, if you can keep that guy healthy, he's one of the best players of all time, nevermind. Just in the game. Third, I've got Kyle Tucker two, I have got Juan Soto and yeah, like you said, best batter or hitter in the whole game. Aaron Judge is at number one.
Matt:Decent mate, I think your knowledge is coming on quite a bit.
Tom:So yeah, guys, that kind of rounds off our our top tens. Then for the, for the season, it'd be interesting to see kind of how they, they fare. Obviously, like we said before. There's been a there's already been a couple of changes, obviously with when we first did our pictures, which seems like ages ago now. Garrett Cole, obviously out for the season since then, so it'd be interesting to see kind of who does, who does well on this list. When we kind of do a mid-season review, maybe an Allstar break review. We will, we will re, we will review our top tens and see if they're still in, still in the same order for how the season's kind of going.
Matt:Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how some of these picks and you know, some of my rogue picks, we'll see how they've done as well. See if they measure up, if I get less feedback from some of our listeners on those. Be interesting to see. so let's talk your three sort of main things that you are looking out for this season then.
Tom:So kind of, I wouldn't necessarily say Tom's takes because I don't think they're necessarily takes there more things that I'm looking, that I'm kind of looking forward to seeing this year. Whether that be from a, looking forward to seeing it potentially go wrong or looking forward to it, to potentially going well. I just think as a fan of baseball, these are the kind of things that I'm, I'm just watching out for this year and I think will be really interesting storylines to, oh, as Ben Rice. Oh, just off the wall. Ben Rice picking up a double for the Yankees. Guys, like we said, we are watching live, so mine and Maddie's re reactions will be, will be as the game goes on. He had a great spring, by the way. For the Yankees, it looks like he's putting a lot of muscle. I think he put like 10 pounds of muscle. So great to see how Ben Rice does this year. For us, it's another one, again, another little rookie watch, but we will get to our Rookie of the Year candidates a bit later on. So my kind of three storylines I'm interested to see this year, I think the only place I can really start with is the Million Dollar man, Juan Soto over in Queens. Obviously gutted that he isn't wearing pin stripes. I watch an opening day for us now, but look, he's he chose the Mets, he signed the biggest contract in sports history. So yeah, I think that has to be the number one storyline for me. Will he live up to that contract? And obviously he signed for a, for a big deal and a long term deal, but it's one of those things like will he live up to it? And I think, I know people will say it's a long term deal and. The first season, you can't write him off after a first season. But when you're being paid that amount of money and you've had the success that one Soto's had, I think you, the pressure is on you straight away. There's no kind of adjustment era. There's no kind of bed you in for the first season. You are expected to go out and you're expected to take your team to the World Series. So I mean, obviously look, the Dodgers are a bit of a juggernaut. Whether they'd be able to be stopped will be interesting, but. Yeah, I think that's what I'm looking for. Second one, look, I'm staying on the Paul Schemes hype train. I just wanna see if it continues and he is as good as he was last year. Obviously came up, was phenomenal for the Pirates last year. I think. I hate the Pirates more than I. More than most teams in the league right now. And not because I actually dislike the Pirates, but just because of the fact that I just hate how they're kind of handling pool schemes at the moment. They're, they, they've got a player who you can genuinely build a franchise around and is ready to win now, and the moves that they've made in the off season, they're just, they're just, it's like they, they, they're not taking advantage of the fact that you have genuinely got a, you've got a generational picture in your, in your organization there, and you've got him locked down. Under a cheap contract for the ne for the number of years now while he goes for his rookie contract, and then he goes for his arbitration years. So you've gotta win now. But like I said, he's the hype train for me. I just wanna see if he will either have a sophomore slump or whether he wins the awards that he's expected to win. And I've actually potentially got him down to maybe even win this year. And the last one, like I said, some of these I will be watching. Whether it be through gritted teeth, hopefully it doesn't come true. Maybe more of a hoping it'll fail kind of scenario. But the Boston Red Sox, they have actually built a very, very good side this year, I think. Like I came out and said, and he started the season, so Raffi Devs is gonna dh, which just adds. A whole nother level now. So they're line up with the fact that you've got Bregman and Raffi devs and Jaron Duran all in that same lineup. And the, and the fact that Raffi devs is DH and Bregman's at third, their defense is gonna get a lot better on the infield. So they've built a really good team this year. The pressure has kind of gone from being. Look, Boston Red Sox pressure as it comes every year, but kind of middle of the pack. Not expected to win the division, but maybe compete for a wild card like it was last year too. I mean now, right? I mean, right here, right now you, you probably having favorites for the a l East with all the Yankees injury problems. You probably have them as your favorites for the east. So that's my three, like I said. So o in his contract skins, will he have a sophomore slump? I don't think he will. But will he or will he become. The pitch in phenom that he's expected to be and the Boston Red Sox. There's pressure on you guys. You guys have retort very well and it'll be interesting to see if you can live up to that pressure and go on and potentially win the division. And like some people are saying, potentially win the pennant in the al. A lot of, some people are predicting the Red Sox to be the American League champions this year. So yeah, a lot of pressure on those guys. It'd be interesting to see if they can live up to it.
Matt:Some really good points there, mate. Some, some interesting I think for me the, the two that stand out the most are the, the question about Juan Soto and the Mets. And obviously the Red Sox and both unfortunately for us, affect the Yankees. So I think I've got more of an eye on those two than, than Paul Skees. You know, I, I like him as a pitcher. I think he's got the potential to be one of the games best. He, he's just an unreal player and his age as well. But going back to the question about Soto, think as long as the the Dodgers. strong as they are. I don't think that the Mets get anywhere near the World Series. I think at every, at every step, they'll, they'll be out outplayed by the Dodgers. So I don't think at least the next three years they get to a World Series.
Tom:I was gonna ask you just on the Soto thing then. And say it with an unbiased. View.'cause I know your feelings towards the man are not obviously are very well known to the listeners that you're not particularly a fan after what happened if one, so oh. Puts up the same numbers that he does for the ya that he did for the Yankees last year. So what did, I think he backed 2 82 88 last year. 44 home runs over a hundred runs driven in, if he puts up a similar season to that offensively for the Mets. But they do not make the World Series like the Yankees did this year, last year. Sorry. Is it a failed season for for Juan Soto and the Mets, or is that, would you say it's a successful season? That's what I'm getting at. Do you think that if they don't make the World Series, even if he, he goes off offensively, has an unbelievable year, maybe even puts up better numbers? If they don't make the World Series, which is what he's been brought in to get them to do, and which is he's already come out and said, we expect to be at the top all year. Is it a failed season? If they don't make the World Series.
Matt:Absolutely. Yes, absolutely 100%. If you've, if you've laid out by the end of the contract, you're gonna be talking$800 million. If you've laid out that sort of money and you are, you know, you've got that player telling the world, we're gonna be there. We're gonna be the best. And you don't do it. Fail, epic, fail. But that'd be the same if we'd, if he'd done it in time for the Yanks, if we'd have Outlied 800 million and he started going, well, we're gonna be at the top of our game. We're gonna be the best. We're gonna be at the World Series, we're gonna win it. And then we didn't. It's, it's an abject failure. So it doesn't matter that it's the Mets, it's, to me, it's a failure you see in football. You know, because obviously Premier League, we, we watch it week in, week out and you see managers being bought in, this, manager's being bought in to win this title. These players have been bought in to win this title. But with managers, when they do it and they fail, they're, they're sacked. I mean? The fans and the board see it as a failure. So yeah, long answer, but in the short, yeah, it would be a failure if they weren't to get to the World Series, don't think they will. Yeah, they've got a decent team. When you look at the likes of the Dodgers, superior team, when you look at the fact that the, the Red Sox are building and I think they've got the potential to get in there, I have a horrible, horrible feeling given all the issues that the Yankees have got at the moment with their, with their pictures and injuries that have happened over spring training, Unfortunately, the Yanks are not gonna win the ales this season. It, it has the potential to go to the sox,
Tom:well, speaking on that then, Matt, you mentioned the east going to the, so we have got
Matt:You
Tom:division predictions ready to go. So we'll start in the al go east, central to west. Who have you got down as your division winners this year? So if we want to go from last place to first place A, at least, what's your, what's your take?
Matt:Rays just because I think the team are not doing well from ownership, you know, downwards. So I think the rays are gonna finish bottom. And then I think the Blue Jays the Orioles, then the Yankees, and I think the Red Sox are your a LE division winners. The central, I think guardians have made some moves which I like, so I think, but however, I think the Tigers as well have got a chance to top it. But we'll go from the bottom, think the white socks box, followed by the twins, followed by the royals. And then the Tigers, I think, will finish second and the guardians will top it again.
Tom:And lastly, the west.
Matt:the Rangers should be up there. They had a down year last year after their appearance in the World Series. I have a feeling they may perform better this season, but. It's a tough one. You know, the Astros have have been testing a few things in, in Spring Train. One of them have not paid off, but I think they'll be up there. So I'm gonna go the athletics to Finish Bottom, followed by the LA Angels, followed by the Mariners. And then I think the Astros will finish second, and I think the ranges are gonna finish on top.
Tom:Nice, nice To be fair mate. Fairly, fairly similar predictions to myself. So kind of starting in the East. I, I agree. I think, I think the rays finished last. I think they did the least. I wouldn't, maybe not necessarily the least, but I just don't think they did enough in the off season to really improve that side. Like I said, there's a lot of off the field problems with the rays at the moment as well, which I do think has an impact on the team. And can kind of translate down onto the field. Not always. Sometimes it kind of has the opposite effect and the players kind of galvanized themselves around it. But we kind of joked last week about the fact that the rays are gonna be playing 500 ball. And I, I can't really see that being too much different. It could even potentially be worse than that this year. So, yeah, I, I, I can't see the rays having a good season. I've got down, I've got them down at, at last again, I've got the Blue Jays next. I think the Blue Jays will be better than they were last year, but they just, they just aren't better than the other three teams in the division. Third, again, similarly is pretty much the exact same as yours. I've got Baltimore finishing third. Again, good side. There'll be a wild card team this year, a hundred percent, but I don't have them finishing above the Yankees and the Red Sox. I did have the Yankees at first before the season kind of started and before spring training got going. I have swapped it round because just the injuries the Yankees have got at the moment. I just can't see the Yankees being able to maintain first place. I think we'll still be right up there for the season. I think we'll be. In and around the division race going into September, I think we'll be a world card team, probably the first World Card team in the American League. But yeah, I just don't, just don't see the Yankees having the legs with the injuries that they've got at the moment. I mean, look, they might surprise us, but don't see them having the legs and yeah, I think Boston win the division, the A aal, the AAL Central kind of is a division. That was always, it makes me laugh a little bit because it, I saw something the other day and it was, it was almost true. It's. It's basically like a division of teams that, not in a horrible way or they just don't really have a lot of success, and it's, it's just kind of like every now, like, it's like every year, like it kind of swaps round. So one of the teams does slightly better than they're expected and all the other teams are just not very good. So I've got the white, I mean the White Sox are one of the worst teams in baseball history at the moment. I've got them finishing last, the twins. I've got them that got them next. The, the top three is hard because I think they're all kind of quite evenly split. I think I, I agree with you. I think the Tigers will win it this year and I think that's just behind the fact that their pitching rotation is very, very good. SO'S Caseys, and I think for that reason, I got gonna put the Guardians in third and I know they made the a l championship game last year. I just think that. Pitching wise, I think the royals are better and I think the tigers are better in terms of the pitching rotation. So I'm gonna put Cleveland at third. I'm gonna have can Kansas finishing second, and I'm gonna have Detroit finishing third.'cause I do also just think out of those teams. I think Detroit probably has the most balanced lineup and well-rounded lineup, but it's, it's very, very close with, with, with between those three teams for the offense and then in the a o West? Again, pretty similar. I think the athletics finished bottom again, this, this one's quite hard because I think, like you said, I think the Rangers bounced back this year. Seattle were a weird team and I don't want to keep knocking Seattle and slate in them. Their pitching rotation is fantastic. I, I actually think Logan Gilbert, who I had in my top 10 pitchers to start the season. Is a really sneaky shout for the Al S Young this year, at least to get votes. Is that pitching enough to get them up in the division? I really don't know. I just think, I just think their offense is, is just not good enough. They've got a couple of good players. See Julio Rodriguez, if he can bounce back from last year, is a phenomenal player. Obviously Cal Rally is a great player. Again, pits for a lot of power, but. Just those two in the lineup to kind of produce your offense for you? I'm not sure. I do think they'll still be better than the Angels as much as I actually wanna see the Angels do well.'cause I love Mike Trout and I'd love to see him have a good season. But yeah, I'm gonna go the Angels next. I am gonna go the Mariners after them, but I think those three teams won't be anywhere near playoff contention. I'm gonna go the Rangers second, I think. Obviously, I know they're primed for a bounce back year, but I, again, I just do think that. The Astros somehow always seem to find a way to win the division. And even with the experimenting of Jose Tuvi out in left, which doesn't look like it's, it's going very well I do still think they'll have enough and they'll find a way to win that division.
Matt:Nice. fairly similar opinions, mate. I think one or two differences, but. I think, yeah, I think the a l East is gonna be the one that I keep my closest eye on, just given that it's the, the Yankees. But it'll be interesting to see how the, the Rangers bounce back. And like I say, I'd, it'd be nice to see the angels do well this season, but I just, I don't see it. interesting that you think the guardians are gonna have like a bit of a down year, but we'll see. We'll see. I mean, like that division's gonna be quite. interesting one because obviously the Tigers and the Royals made the world card last year, so we'll see how those fare. But now some, some interesting some interesting picks there, mate. So if we move over to the National League then do you want to hit me up with your National League East predictions?
Tom:Yeah, the east is tough because I think, and I think it gets tough after the bottom two. The Marlins are finishing last, the nationals are finishing second last. That could be in either order because they're both terrible and I don't, I mean that with all respect to both teams, they're, they're not very good sides. The top three teams in this division, again, is a bit of a, to toss of a coin because they're all with all, in all honesty, they're all potential World Series winners. They're that good. I mean, the Braves have got Spencer Strider back this year as well, so their rotation is gonna be even better. They've got Ronald Aun Junior back I think he should be. He's due to be back again. Late April may kind of time. So you add an MVP back to your lineup and all of a sudden their team looks, just, looks scary. The Phillies are always gonna be good. They've got the best, probably the best front free in their rotation in all of baseball. And the Mets obviously retool. We've spoken about them already. They've retooled, they resigned Alonzo, they get, they get one. Soto, they've made additions to the bullpen. I know Sean Manai is out injured, but Clay Holmes look pretty good. In, in spring training when they get their guys back fit in the rotation. It could be interesting. So yeah, I'm gonna go to the Marlins last, I'm gonna go to the national second Last, like I said though, that could be brought up. I, I'm going to go Braves, Phillies, Mets, and I'm only saying that because I think. The pressure is on the Mets to win that division this year, and I'm more saying that because I'm interested to see if they actually live up to the hype and the expectation and get there. I'm not saying that because I necessarily think they're a better side than the other two, but I think it will go Braves third, Philly second, and Mets first. But what I will say about that, and I don't think it's too bold a prediction to make. I think that all three of those teams are playoff teams this year and whatever order they finish in the other two teams who don't finish first will be making a wild card. So I'll give them that. The NL Central, again, pretty tight I think. I think the Pirates finish. I think the pirates potentially finish bottom. It, it pays me to say it.'cause like I said, I love schemes and I really wish they'd kind of built up a little bit more this year to kind of ba like build around him and produce a better team. I just don't think they've done it. I think the reds are up next then it's a bit of a toss of a coin. I think the Cardinals are probably finished third'cause they just, again, didn't do a lot on the, in this off season to improve, but they're better than the Pirates and the Reds and then it's just a case of the brewers and the Cubs. I know the Cubs lost the first two games of the season to the Dodgers, but I think obviously the Dodgers are gonna steamroll a lot of teams this year, I think. I actually think the Cubs have got a good shot to win the division this year. I love the addition of Carl Tucker, so I am gonna go brewers in second and I am gonna go the Cubs finishing first, but I would not be surprised if that is the other way around. But for now, I am gonna go Brewer second. I'm gonna go Cubs in first, and then the NL West. I mean, the Rockies are almost as, almost as certain as it is that the Dodgers are gonna win this division. It's almost as certain that the Rockies are gonna finish dead last. And then again, it becomes really interesting. I, I, I do like that this season, again, one of the, I'm so excited for this year because so many of these divisions have actually got the potential to be really close. San Francisco's improved. Arizona's improved. The Padres have arguably, well, they've arguably improved. Just some, some might say they've definitely not got a lot. Well, they've definitely, certainly, they've certainly not got worse to a point where I think it'll put them outta contention. I am gonna go the Giants next, and even though I think they could be good enough to actually finish as high as second in this division, at the moment, I can't have. I can't have the giants sort of above the Padres and the D backs at the moment. In third, I'm gonna go the Padres in second. I'm going the D backs because I think the D backs offensively have got more than, have got more than the power trays. And I love the addition of Corbin Burns, even though I think Michael King and Dylan cease are are fantastic. I also think that the Padres this year, there's a chance that they lose those two at the trade deadline. Even if they're having a, even if they're slightly in contention, there's a chance that a team that's looking to win it all is gonna go in and pick up a Michael King or a Dylan Cease. And I think if that happens, then I do think the Padres are in a bit of trouble. I think the DBAs, like I said, I love the addition of Corby Burns. I think your boy, Josh Nala will be a good fit into the lineup is. Is he third in first baseman in the league? No, he's not, but he's a top 10 player in his position and I think he adds a bit of pop, which they obviously used to get with Christian Walker at first. And then obviously first position in that division is, again, it's probably the most foregone conclusion besides the White Sox. Finishing last in the division is is the Dodgers. Obviously you already started the season two and oh in the Tokyo series and. Look, they're on course to be 162 and oh, I don't think they'll be that good this year. But yeah, I think that's a, that's a pretty foregone conclusion.
Matt:Mate. Very, very, very interesting. out of all of those, we've only got. Two teams in a different position and that's it. Everything else is bang on the same. So
Tom:could almost,
Matt:the.
Tom:guess what one you are gonna say isn't in the right position. And I have a feeling it's gonna start in the, in the NL East. I dunno why. I have a feeling that you might not have the, the same team in first as me. I dunno why though? I dunno if it's, I dunno if it's a bias you've got against them, but.
Matt:It will surprise you that no, I haven't put the DBAs at the top of the lease mate. No. So in the NL East I've got the Marlins finishing bottom, followed by the nationals. And then I've gone the Braves in third, the Phillies in second and the Mets in first. But just like last season, I think all three of those teams make postseason,
Tom:Can we just can we just snip that please guys? We've got Matty giving praise to the Mets saying that they're going to finish first. I think we'll have to snip that for, for, for the listeners, for the Mets fans that listen in just so they know.
Matt:let's be clear. That wasn't praise. I'm just saying they're gonna finish first. I'm not big'em up. but think they're gonna finish first. That's it. That is it. That is, as far as my talk on the Met GOs, over in the central I mean, this one's a bit of a me kind of division, isn't it? I mean. The pirates, I think, will finish bottom, followed by the reds. The cardinals will be third, the cubs second, and the brewers first. and then over in the west I the Rockies fifth. Personally, I don't see the point in the Rockies. They, they finished the division every year. It must be depressing being a Rockies fan. then the Giants, I think the giants are gonna finish fourth. D backs I think will finish third. the Padres I think will finish second, and the Dodgers will walk the the west mate, if I'm honest. I don't see any other winner. I have a question for you though. Last year was the first year in three years a single team didn't surpass 100 wins in a season. Do you think anyone will do it this season?
Tom:Yeah, it was interesting, wasn't it last year?'cause obviously there was a lot of good teams, but it was almost like a lot of good teams that. Didn't quite get over the line with a hundred wins because it was very competitive. I think this year's gonna be even more competitive in terms of the vision. I do think we'll have a hundred win teams this year though, and only because I just think the Dodgers are that good. The Dodgers will win a hundred games this year. I mean, I, I can see it.'cause I really think as much as I'd love that division to be competitive, more competitive than some of the other teams like the Padres, like the DBAs, even the Giants kind of coming up and. And I'm making a bit more of a game of it and, and a run for it. I, I just think they're gonna steamroll it. So yes, I do think that there'll be a hundred win team, but I only think there'll be one. And I do think it'll be the Dodgers. And again, only because I just think that the other divisions, the Yankees and the Red Sox and the Orioles, that's very tight. They're all very evenly matched. Same in the, in the NL East. Those teams are all potential a hundred team winners. If they didn't have to play each other. For more games of the season than they have to play other teams. So yeah, I think it's I think there's potential for one, definitely the Dodgers. So yeah, I can see there being an a hundred win team
Matt:yeah, I think there were two. Short last year the next nearest team to them was the Phillies in 95. But obviously this year, I don't think they're gonna, they're gonna win that division. I think it's gonna be the Mets, but I don't see the Mets getting over a hundred wins. I don't see the Yankees getting over a hundred wins. Yeah, I think the Dodgers potentially is the, is the only one, they've got an amazing rotation. got some amazing players that can absolutely the part, I think the Dodgers win it all again this year, overall, mate, to be honest.
Tom:Yeah, in agreement, like I said. I think it was, it was one of my early Tom's takes was that I think the Dodgers do win it again this year. I think they could potentially, excuse me, sorry. Yeah, I agree mate. I think I had it as one of my early Toms takes that I think that the Dodgers win it all this year. And I think they could potentially go on one of, one of the, one of the dynasties where they go and win quite a few in a row. Potentially. We haven't had back to back winners since the Yankees. So yeah, it'd be interested to see how they kind of get on. And if they can live up to those expectations, I think they will.'cause I just think that side is so good and it's so well built. It's not a side that kind of won it by Fluke Last year, they were the best team in the league last year and they've gone and got better. So yeah, I think, look, obviously the Mets are potentially there to stop'em. The Phillies, the Braves are all good sides. They're all potentially could win the World Series if they get there. But yeah, I do just think, I think the Dodgers will be too strong for everyone this year.
Matt:Before we wrap up, then we're gonna sort of preview who we think are gonna be the MVP winners, SI young winners, and our rookies of the year. So do you want to go first with your MVPs for the National League and the American League?
Tom:Right. I think what I've done with this is because I think it's quite an easy one to just go. Look, I, who I think will win the A-A-L-N-N-L-M-V-P is, unless they have down years, which I can't see going across a whole season'cause they are comfortably the two best players in the league. I've got judges, my A-L-M-V-P and I've got T as the N-L-M-V-P. What I've actually put down here though, is maybe sneaky shouts that definitely be in the conversation. And certainly if those two have down years, could potentially go on and win it. So in the am in the American League, I've got Jose Ramirez as a shout. I think the guy is in and around it every single year and is just such a phenomenal player. He still has bases, he hits home runs. He was nearly a 40, 40 player last year. He has the potential to go and do that again. I think there's no reason why he can't go on and win the MVP if, like I said, judge doesn't have a good year and in the National League, I think you guys, there'll be no surprise to hear my pick on this. I mentioned it a few episodes back that I think that he is, if you're looking at a sneaky shout for especially votes, and if Ani doesn't have a good year, I just think Paul Schemes is a, is a shout for the MVP. I think if I've got them finishing last in the central. If the Pirates finish anywhere near a playoff spot, he wins the MVP this year. And that, again, like I said, that is also down to the T potentially having a slightly down year, but T is even slightly off it this year. And the pirates are anywhere near a a, a wild card position or a playoff position. Then yeah, I think, I think Paul schemes is my shout for MVP, but like I said, judge and T are going to win it for me. But Jose Ramirez and Paul Skees, if it isn't one of those two.
Matt:I've gone exactly the same I'll. MVP at and al MVP, I've gone judge, I don't see anybody else than those two big sluggers. You know, at can do both pitching and hitting. And I think he's gonna be a difference maker for the Dodgers this season. I think judges is gonna be, up there for, for runs again. Let's see who you've got for you. I can already guess who you've probably gone for as you Cy Young. I think a little bit like my obsession. My apparent obsession with Josh Nailer. You've got a little bit of an obsession with Paul Skeen, so your NL Young winner is.
Tom:Zach Wheeler. No, it is. No, it is Paul schemes. I mean, at least my obsession with schemes is justified because this is one of the best players in the sport. Yeah, I've got schemes as Messiah Young winner. I don't think there's any real doubt in that. There's a lot of great pictures in the National League, but I've, I've, I've got schemes as, I've got schemes as me winner there. And then in the al, again, I've got Tarek Scobel repeating. I just don't, as good as some of the pictures are, I think Garrett Crochet is a good shout for it. I, I know a lot of people have got him as their potential so young. I just don't think there's anyone better than Tarek Kugel in the American League.
Matt:Again, I have both the same. I, I think schemes, you know, he's a very, very good player and like I said last week, it's mad that he was not in the big leagues this time last year. And now this year he's potentially gonna be the si young winner. yeah, Terry Skubal, he's gonna be for the Tigers. He's gonna, he's gonna win it for the Tigers and I think they'll be up there this year as well. Rookie of the Year is an interesting one me. I think the National League. think that that's nailed on to be, Susaki on and then the Al I think there's a few here potentially, but for me, I think the person with the best shout, and it's a toss up between two. I've got Christian Campbell of the Red Sox. And I've got Jason Dominguez of the Yankees, but I think I'm gonna go Jason Dominguez. So for my two rookie of the year in the Al Jason Dominguez and then in the nl. I'm gonna go roki Susaki.
Tom:Yeah, I think mine are pretty similar to yours. I've got Susaki winning the winning the National League Rookie of the Year. Just think, I think he doesn't have to have a brilliant year to still win it, and I think he has potential to have a brilliant year. I think there's slightly less pressure on him now'cause he's probably gonna be the fourth, fourth starter for the Dodgers. After obviously Yamamoto, Snell and Glasnow, he's probably gonna be fourth starter. Obviously at some point of the year, they expect Tahnee to start pitching as well. So again, the pressure's kind of off of him to be that kind of star, star pitcher for them, which I think will actually benefit him and help him. So yeah, I've got him as the rookie of the year. Again, I agreed with you. I think there's three people for me in the American League that I, I've got as maybe winning the. The rookie of the year, again, agree with you. Christian Campbell and Jason Dominguez. I think that Jason Dominguez has to have a good year this year because I just think it's one of those where like he came up, looked very good, obviously got injured didn't look great when he came up last year, but in a small sample size. And I think it's just he's gonna be the Yankees everyday, left fielder this year. So he's got a chance. To go out and sort of show the world what he's capable of. Christian Campbell obviously one of the top prospects in the whole of baseball as well. Gonna be the every, gonna be the everyday second baseman for the Red Sox this year. And if they have a good year as they're projected to, then he has a chance to win it. And the other one as well. I just think Jackson job, he's obviously, again, very highly touted, starting for the Tigers. He's been, it's obviously been confirmed that he's gonna be part of the rotation this year. So if he can have a good year for the Tigers, then I think. Look we saw, we saw two pitchers win Rookie of the year last year. There's no reason why two pitchers can't win it again. I think Job and Susaki have got just as much about them as at least Lewis Hill did. I'm not necessarily saying schemes, but look, they're both very good young pitchers who could go and make a name for themselves this year. I.
Matt:Are you seeing any interesting results? Are you keeping an eye on all the other games at the moment, mate?
Tom:Yeah, it is been a bit quite a lively opening day. Obviously kinda hard to take your eyes off the screen when your own team's playing, but it's yeah, it's been quite a, quite a good opening day. The Orioles obviously up six two on the Blue Jays. The Rangers currently lead the Red Sox two, one in the bottom of the fourth. The royals beating the guardians three one at the moment. So my prediction there I, I mean the, the White Sox are up three, nothing on the angels. So the White Sox picking up more wins than a lot of people thought they might do in the first few, few weeks of the season. And the Astros currently up three. Nothing on the Mets as well.
Matt:the game
Tom:Mets.
Matt:it now. Wow.
Tom:Well, the Mets only hit is is Juan Sotos. Juan Sotos, debut, debut single, I think he hit. So yeah, they're in the, they're in the top or the fourth right there at the moment. So yeah, like I said, a couple of interesting, not Clay Holmes not necessarily struggling, but three in his pitch, three hits, two earn runs, and three walks already. So, yeah, it's I said that, that starter experiment. Mm. Is it, was it a good shout or was it, was it a risk? I think it's a risk, but I'd be interested to kind of see how he gets on there. But yeah look, like we said, it's, it's opening day. It's the most fun. So it is the most fun day of the season. Obviously. Everyone's in a good mood for it. Everyone's just happy baseball's back and hopefully, hopefully the Yankees can go on and have a good season for us too. But look, whoever you guys support, obviously everyone's gonna be hoping their team. Could make a push for the playoffs this year and go and do what the Dodgers did last year, which is win the World Series.
Matt:Right then mate, I think we'll wrap it up there so we can go and catch the last couple of innings. Enjoy the rest of opening day, mate. I'm sure we'll talk lots about it over the next couple of days. forget next week we are back to our normal routine of everything, NFL, everything, NHL, and everything. MLB mate. Have a great week. Take care and I'll speak to you soon.
Tom:Likewise, my friend. All the best, Matt, and enjoy the rest of opening day my friend.
Matt:That does it for another episode of Triple Play uk. I've been your host, Matt, along with co-host Tom. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to follow us on X and subscribe on whatever listening platform you're on and we will catch you again next week. Cheers, guys.